Week 4 – Love
Who Would Love Us This Much?
Request: Lord, open my eyes as I read your word, my ears to hear, my mind to understand, and my heart to be filled with your love. Amen.
Read Micah 7:8-20
Record your favorite verse and comment if you want to share.
Respond with a prayer to God
Micah was a prophet during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. His writings announce the coming judgment in Samaria, which was spreading to Judah, all the way to the holy city of Jerusalem. The list of transgressions throughout the book goes on and on. Idol worship, false teachers, bribery, dishonest scales, witchcraft, and distrust within one’s own family are mentioned. Micah proclaims that destruction was surely coming because there was no remedy for them. He told them just what was coming, laying it out as a case in a court of law. He also includes himself as a sinner, and will accept any correction he will receive from God, and he will wait for his salvation.
Among his writings of judgment, Micah speaks of tremendous hope in the future. As sure as he was of God’s judgment, he was adamant there would come a king from the clan of Judah who would put an end to evil and deliver his people. He demonstrated faith in believing what he could not see.
The king that Micah was hoping and waiting for has come, and his name is Jesus. He came in an unexpected way. The unbelievable, faithful and unchanging love of God is wrapped up in the baby who arrived in a most lowly way. As he grew, he showed us how to live. Then God poured all of his wrath on his one and only Son and had victory over death, our last enemy. God is not angry with us. No, he has not retained his anger against us forever (7:18). His wrath is fully satisfied now, and he delights in his love for us. He is so eager to pardon our iniquity and stomp our sin underfoot and throw it into the sea, never to remember it again. He lovingly desires for us to come to him by accepting His gift of salvation that costs us nothing, but cost Jesus everything. What other “god” would do this for us? There is no greater or deeper love than the love God has for us. It is a love that has no end. We get a glimpse of it if we have received this incredible gift of love for ourselves. Then we want to pass it on to others so they can experience His love as well. When we reject that love, it grieves and hurts Him more than we know. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
My verse: Micah 7:1, “ But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation.”
Just as Micah was watching and waiting for salvation in a future king, so am I. Jesus left this earth with a promise to return, and I believe this with all my heart. The next time will be different. All rebellion against his rule will be destroyed and there will be everlasting peace. Although this prophecy recorded by Micah is concerning Israel, I am so glad that God’s love has reached me, and I am included in his wonderful plan. If you are able, take a few minutes and read through Micah. It is seven chapters, and filled with the story of God’s redemptive plan.
My response: Oh Lord Jesus, while I am still living here, in this world that is not my home, may I allow your Spirit to rule and reign in my life, so that I may be a channel of your love to others. Use me to point those I cross paths with to Jesus; the only cure for their problem of the sin they cannot take care of by themselves.
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My verse: “Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant,
overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever,
because you delight in showing unfailing love.” Micah 7:18
My response: Father, we are so undeserving. We know Your goodness, yet we wander. But still You love Your own. No one can pluck us out of Your hand (John 10:29). It is Your great delight to show us the greatest of gifts, unfailing love. Thank You!